The tournament shall not be responsible for any expenses incurred by any team or club if the tournament is cancelled in whole or in part. If circumstances require the tournament to be cancelled before the start of play a minimum refund of 80 % will be made. Otherwise, the tournament entrance fee is non-refundable after acceptance into the tournament. Valid drivers license required to operate a golf cart. No alcoholic beverages, smoking or pets are allowed at any tournament site.

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to decide on all matters pertaining to the tournament.

The Tournament Committee's interpretation of the rules and regulations shall be final.

The Tournament Committee shall comprise the Tournament Director and such other individuals as the Tournament Director may appoint.

TEAM ELIGIBILITY

Competition is open to teams registered with their respective USSF state, provincial, or national association. Teams must have a copy of the permission to travel signed by the association, if appropriate.

Each full-sided team will be allowed a maximum of 18 players, small-sided teams a maximum of 14 players. Player passes authorized by the appropriate soccer association will be verified at the team registration. Additionally, player passes may be checked before each match at the discretion of the field marshal or referee.

The tournament is open to club teams only and no tournament teams will be allowed. NO Guest Players will be allowed.

MATCHES

All matches will begin promptly on the hour. Coaches for competing teams shall remain on the same side of the field during the time the match is in progress. Spectators will be on the touchline opposite the teams. The home team (the team listed first in the schedule) has choice of side and shirt color. The away team will kick-off the first half. Coaches must stay within their technical area 5 to 15 yards from the halfway line and 2 yards back from the touch line, whether that area is marked or not.

If there is no referee present within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time, the match will proceed with a volunteer referee until such time as the assigned referee arrives. In any event, the score stands.

If no assistant referees are supplied by the tournament for a game, the referee may obtain one volunteer from each team to serve as linesmen at his/her discretion. These volunteers are not permitted to coach from the touchline.

No protests of game results will be allowed for any reason.

When uniform colors are similar, the designated home team (the team listed first in the schedule) will have the choice of uniform colors. Goalkeepers must not wear colors that are similar to those of their teammates, opponents, or the referee.

All matches shall consist of two 25 minute halves with a 3 minute half-time.

Players in the U13 age group or older shall use a size 5 ball. U9 through U12 players shall use a size 4 ball. U8 will use a size 3 ball. The home team shall provide the match ball which will be checked by the referee.

U8 teams will split into two squads for each designated fixture and play two 4v4 games side by side against the noted opponent at the field lndicated. Most recent MNJYSA rules for U8 games will apply. These games will be administered by an official provided by the tournament who may or may not be a registered referee.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Substitutions with the permission of the referee are allowed at the following times:

after a goal is scored.

at half-time.

on goal kicks.

on your own throw-in or on your opponent’s throw-in if they substitute.

in case of injury (one for one).

No substitutions are allowed for an ejected player or at any other restart.

CONCUSSION PREVENTION & PROTOCOL

There will be no heading of the ball for U8 through U11. Deliberate heading at these ages will be penalized with an indirect free kick.

Coaches are urged to substitute any player that has or may have a head injury. Referees will have the discretion to require a player with a head injury and/or suspected concussion to be substituted and take no further part in the match.

TOURNAMENT SCORING

Points shall be awarded as follows to determine the standings for U11 thru U14 age groups. There will be NO standings or tie breakers for U10 and younger:

WIN: 3 POINTS

TIE: 1 POINT

LOSS: 0 POINTS

In case of a tie within the flight, the following priority shall be used to determine the final standings:

1. Most wins

2. Head-to-head competition (only if a two-way tie, otherwise omit

3. Bonus Points (see below for determination of bonus points)

4. Fewest total goals against

5. Total goals scored (up to five per game)

6. Penalty kick shoot-out as governed by FIFA rules (This only applies to U11 thru U14 age groups and will only be used if needed to determine advancement or first place.)

Bonus points will be awarded to a winning team to be used only as tiebreakers. The winning team will be awarded one bonus point for a goal differential up to a maximum of three. Thus, a team winning by 3-0, 5-0 or 6-3 scores would receive 3 bonus points. Scores will not be posted for U10 and younger age groups.

FAILURE TO SHOW AND FORFEITS

The minimum number of players (including a goalkeeper) are as follows: 7v7 – 5 players; 9v9 - 6 players; 11v11 – 7 players. A team that fails to field the minimum number of players at the scheduled start time will forfeit the match. Any team that forfeits a match will not be eligible to win a flight championship or trophies.

Teams winning by forfeit shall be awarded three (3) points for the win and be awarded the maximum of three (3) bonus points.

TROPHIES

Trophies or Champion T-Shirts will be awarded for first place only in each flight for age groups U11 and older. Participation awards will be given to players on all U8/U9/U10 teams.

INCLEMENT WEATHER

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to modify the tournament and its rules as necessary for the fair and orderly conduct of the tournament and specifically to make the following changes in the event of inclement weather:

relocate and/or reschedule a match;

reduce scheduled duration of matches;

cancel matches having no impact on age group award winners;

cancel all or part of the tournament for the safety of the players.

Should a game be terminated early due to weather conditions the score on termination will stand.

A game canceled in its entirety, and unable to be rescheduled will be considered a 0-0 tie.

CONDUCT

Players, coaches and spectators are expected to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. Displays of temper or dissent are cause for ejection from the game and the field area. Severe misconduct will result in players or entire teams being asked to leave the tournament without refund.

Red Cards: A player or coach receiving a red card must sit out the next game and the offense must be reported immediately to the Tournament Director or Assistant Director who may take any additional action deemed appropriate. Anyone receiving two red cards will be ineligible for further participation in the tournament.

Yellow Cards: Two yellow cards given to the same player or coach in one game shall result in the same penalty as the issuance of a red card.

In accordance with USSF Rules, the issuance of all red and yellow cards and other matters involving the conduct of a team, its players, coaches or supporters will be recorded by the Tournament Committee and reported immediately following the tournament to the home state association and the home club/league. The home state association and the home club/league shall have the responsibility for imposing, should the circumstances warrant, additional sanctions, within their respective jurisdictions, with regard to any matters arising from the tournament.